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Thursday, November 10, 2016

Speak No Evil

University of California regents will consider tighter rules against fellow board members who commit sexual harassment, even if the conduct occurs outside official university business.

The proposal was prompted by recent disclosures that Regent Norman J. Pattiz made remarks about the bodies and breasts of female employees and podcasters at his PodcastOne firm in Beverly Hills. One podcaster, Los Angeles comedian Heather McDonald, disclosed on her “Juicy Scoop” program last month that, when she was taping a bra commercial six months ago, Pattiz had asked if he could hold her breasts.

Pattiz apologized to McDonald and others offended by his conduct. He told The Times he had learned that remarks he intended as jokes were offensive to others and said he would not repeat such behavior.

But Monica Lozano, chairwoman of the Board of Regents, recommended that UC policies be revised to hold regents accountable for such actions. Her proposal will be voted on next week at the regents’ meeting in San Francisco...